We spent a summer’s day outdoors, delighting in the calming showering fragrances and taking in the serenity of the purple-hued landscape of Avlon Lavender Farm. Avalon invites a special connection to nature. Literally meaning Isle of Fruit. The farm has over 30,000 lavender plants – English + French –  in 7 different cultivars.

Lavender or lavandula comes from the Latin word lavare meaning ‘to wash’, as Romans used it abundantly in their baths, hot spas & massages. In botanical terms, lavandula belongs to the mint family of scented plants, along with thyme, mint, sage and many others.

For a long time lavender or lavandula was known as a wild solitary plant. It grew high up on the hot, sunny slopes of mountains, away from civilized places on arid, uncultivated ground. Neither sown, nor cultivated, withstood the winds and the droughts, with two good friends: sun to grow and bees to pollinate. It wasn’t long before the shepherds spread their secrets and lavender descended from the hilltops to more accessible plateaus.

Lavender may have earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. However, this herb has also been used as a remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and fatigue. Research has confirmed that lavender produces a slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

From Greece, Egypt, Rome, English gardens, and the hills of Provence, lavender cultivation spread and it become an essential remedy for many ailments and well-being. Lavender subtle floral fragrance attracted soap and perfume makers, to make it the most versatile herb of all. Times came and gone, and still today, the ‘purple gold’ is unscathed choice as a true natural remedy for well-being and healing.

Lavandula angustifolia, also called True lavender or English lavender, is best known for its sweet, mellow scent, high quality essential oil, medicinal properties and it is a widely used culinary herb. Propagated by seeds and cuttings, it is cold and drought tolerant.

Lavandula X Intermedia known as French lavender is a hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula Latifolia, best known for its tall stalks, heady fragrance and high oil yield. It is used in aromatherapy and cosmetics. However it is not considered culinary lavender, due to its higher camphor content than Lavandula angustifolia. Lavandula X Intermedia flowers are sterile and propagation is done through cuttings. It is also cold and drought resistant.

Lavandula stoechas also known as Spanish lavender, grown more as ornamental plant than for oil distillation is more sensitive to cold winters.

At the Avlon Lavender farm, for an additional $10 at the door, you’ll be lent a scissors and given a bundle bag to fill with your own freshly cut lavender. Typically the bundle bag holds far more than $10 of fresh lavender, so this is great and economical way to enjoy the experience of harvesting your own lavender.

A field worker will point you to a specially flagged garden for Guest Cut-Your-Own, and will be available to help you cut to ensure maximum health for our lavender and your bouquet.

At the farm, 30 free-range lavender orpington hens love their life of grazing and adoration here at Avalon. Guests continue to fall in love with their curious and friendly temperaments.

To harvest the oils and hydrosols from lavender flowers, distillation is done with a Portuguese copper still. The process spreads aroma of fresh lavender.

At the end of the day, we all felt that it was worth the effort to visit the Avalon Lavender Farm at Mona, about 90 minutes drive from our home.